Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Santa Cruz, California
What drew you to studying religious studies, peace studies, and political science?
I began my undergraduate career as a religious studies major because I found religion fascinating. I went to a Christian high school and it was there I began to realize the powerful role that religion takes in someone’s life. I didn’t have a set career goal in mind, I just wanted to take classes that I enjoyed. From there, I wanted to explore other areas that might interest me and ultimately lead me to a more clear career path. I declared a political science minor after taking a course in constitutional law and quickly learned that, while I find political philosophy interesting, I will not be pursuing a career in politics. After taking a philosophy course on just war theory, I declared a peace studies certificate and learned more about approaches to peace and conflict resolution. After taking a course in biomedical ethics, I became fascinated by the ways that personal religious beliefs, professional ethics, and secular values intersect. This has led me to declare a double major in philosophy and pursue a medical humanities certificate. These areas of study all seem rather disconnected, but actually overlap and complement one another in unexpected ways. Having a diverse educational background has helped me grow skills in multidisciplinary thinking and examining ways that different fields interact with one another.
What has been your experience as a student of both the College of Liberal Arts and the Honors College?
I have loved the multidisciplinary path offered me by the College of Liberal Arts. I have received ample support from faculty members in the School of History, Philosophy, and Religion, and they have introduced me to opportunities I didn’t know existed. My pathway has been flexible and customizable to my specific interests, and those interests have been met with support by faculty along the way.
I didn’t come into OSU knowing that I wanted to join the Honors College; in fact, I applied for the Honors College in the winter term of 2025 (my original graduation date was spring 2025). I knew that I wasn’t quite done at Oregon State and the Honors College offered me an opportunity to deepen my education with the completion of an undergraduate thesis. When I approached the Honors College, this was my pitch: I wanted to extend my graduation date by a year, from spring 2025 to spring 2026, and spend that additional year working on my thesis and making up any missing honors credits. I wasn’t sure that this was achievable, given how close to graduation it had gotten, but the Honors College was supportive of my idea and worked with me to make a realistic plan.
Have you started your honors thesis? If yes, what’s the topic and/or focus of your research? If not, are you considering any ideas so far?
I have started my honors thesis! I am researching the ethical permissibility of physician conscientious objection. This often arises in questions of reproductive rights, where physicians are ethically opposed to performing abortive procedures. The procedure is legally available and medically supported, so do doctors have an obligation to perform it? Can they ethically refuse? What ethical considerations arise in these conversations? My thesis examines how professional values, secular ethics, and personal religious beliefs conflict, and how we can navigate questions of this nature.
What have been some of your favorite classes taken?
I have loved so many of my classes, it’s hard to pick a favorite! Some courses that have really stood out to me are Biomedical Ethics (REL 444), Pacifism, Just War, and Terrorism (REL 344), Classical Political Thought (PS 361), First Freedom (PHL 345), a Congressional legislative simulation (PS 399), and an independent study on Huxley’s Brave New World!
What are you hoping to do after you graduate?
I am in the process of applying to graduate school right now! I intend to pursue a dual Master of Bioethics and Master of Social Work to prepare me for social work in a healthcare setting.
How do you feel that your experience in CLA and HC is setting you up for success?
The opportunities afforded me by the College of Liberal Arts and the Honors College have set me up for success in numerous ways. The supportive environment in CLA has given me an opportunity to explore my passions and interests in a low stakes environment. I came into OSU not knowing exactly where I would end up, and I was able to take a variety of classes and figure out what path felt right for me. The Honors College offered me an opportunity to take these passions a step further. Researching and writing an undergraduate thesis has given me a taste of graduate school and whether further schooling is the right fit for me. More practically, my experience has given me skills in time management, independent research, and critical and cross-disciplinary thinking.